Ronald G. DeWaard

Litigation Attorney

Ron is a trial lawyer and former federal prosecutor who currently serves as chair of the firm. He concentrates his practice in civil and white collar litigation, as well as internal investigations. He is a fellow in the American College of Trial Lawyers and has been recognized as one of Michigan's top lawyers by Best Lawyers^®, Super Lawyers^®, Benchmark Litigation^©and by Michigan Lawyers Weekly as a Leader in the Law. Prior to his election as chair, Ron led the firm’s Litigation and Trial Practice Team.

Before joining the firm, Ron served as an Assistant United States Attorney in Miami for the Southern District of Florida, where he prosecuted and tried several large criminal cases. He was also the Deputy Chief of the Major Crimes Division in that office from 2000 - 2001. Since joining Varnum, Ron has tried cases in courts across the country, including New York, Washington, D.C., Florida, North Carolina, Michigan, Tennessee, Kentucky and Kansas. Ron has obtained multimillion dollar verdicts and settlements for plaintiff businesses, including one of the top ten verdicts in Michigan in 2008, as recognized by the Michigan Lawyers Weekly. He has also obtained a number of defense verdicts against plaintiffs claiming high damages.

Ron has extensive experience as an instructor of trial advocacy. He has taught at the preeminent trial advocacy program in the United States, the National Institute of Trial Advocacy, and at the National Advocacy Center, which is the trial practice school for the Department of Justice. Since 2006, he has taught at the Hillman Trial Advocacy Clinic, the trial advocacy program for the Western District of Michigan, and he led that program in 2012 and 2013. He is also a federal court approved mediator.

As a former federal prosecutor, Ron represents companies and officers in white collar criminal matters and governmental investigations, and he conducts internal investigations.

For more information, please contact Ron DeWaard at 616/336-6480 or rgdewaard@varnumlaw.com

Currently member of the leadership team assembled by the Independent Monitor named by the U.S. Department of Justice to oversee General Motors’ compliance with its obligations under the Deferred Prosecution Agreement stemming from its recall of defective ignition switches.

Currently representing the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services in connection with investigations arising out of the Flint water crisis.

Represented financing company in a series of lawsuits against dealers and administrators of vehicle service contracts brought in the Federal District Court for the Northern District of Illinois and obtained a summary judgment in excess of $10 million and additional settlements exceeding $10 million.

Represented former owner of Dr. Pepper, Snapple and Squirt products in a series of income tax related suits against the United States Department of Justice, as well as related litigation, and in separate cases obtained a jury verdict in excess of $4 million, a bench verdict in excess of $3.5 million, and an $8.5 million settlement. The jury verdict was upheld by the 6th Circuit in a published opinion and was hailed by Forbes as one of the top ten tax cases of the year in 2014.

Conducted an internal investigation for and represented top 100 global automotive supplier in multiple grand jury investigations into criminal violations of the Clean Air Act. Obtained a declination of prosecution from two U.S. Attorney’s Offices and the Department of Justice.

Conducted an internal investigation and represented foreign auto supplier in Department of Justice Antitrust Division "Auto Parts" investigation, and also represented company in federal class actions brought by auto dealers and consumers.

American College of Trial Lawyers, fellow, 2017 - present

Benchmark Plaintiffs, Leading Commercial Litigation Plaintiffs Star in Michigan, 2012 - present

Best Lawyers in America^®, Commercial Litigation, Litigation—Banking & Finance,  2011 - present

Best Lawyers in America^®, Lawyer of the Year, Banking and Finance Litigation, 2013

Leading Lawyers: Commercial Litigation; Criminal Defense Law - White Collar

Michigan Lawyers Weekly, Leader in the Law Award, 2014

Michigan Super Lawyers^® since 2010

Special Commendations from the FBI, DEA, Secret Service, Customs, and the ATF

United States Department of Justice, Volunteer Service Award, 1999

American Bar Association

American Bar Foundation, fellow, 2010 - present

Federal Bar Association Western District of Michigan,  president, 2014; Executive Committee, 2006 - 2016; officer, 2007 - 2016

Grand Rapids Bar Association

Michigan State Bar Foundation, fellow, 2008 - present

State Bar of Michigan

Camp Henry, Board of Directors, 2017 - present

Federal Pro Bono Committee, 2010 - present

Grace Christian Reformed Church, Council member, 2005 - 2008

Heartside Ministries, president, Board of Directors, 2003 - 2009

Hillman Advocacy Clinic held by the Federal Court for the Western District of Michigan: Executive Committee, 2006 - present; chair, 2011 - 2012; vice chair, 2009 - 2010

Land Conservancy of West Michigan, Board of Directors, 1992 - 1995

Log Cabin vocational training program for disabled, Board of Directors, 1998 - 2001

Northeastern Little League, coach, 2010 - present